Paxton defense rests its case in impeachment trial; closing arguments Friday morning

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Paxton defense rests its case in impeachment trial; closing arguments Friday morning AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Defense attorneys representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton rested their case in the historic impeachment trial Thursday evening, after calling a string of their first witnesses, current employees of the AG's office, who testified they found no wrongdoing in Paxton's actions.Closing arguments are expected to start at 9 a.m. Friday.Senators, who are acting as jurors, could vote as early as Friday on whether to convict Paxton — which would result in removal from office if he is convicted on at least one of the 16 articles they are considering.Paxton faces 16 articles of impeachment in the Senate that accuse him of abusing his powers as attorney general to help his friend and donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor who faced federal investigation and is central to many of the allegations against Paxton. The suspended attorney general pleaded not guilty to all impeachment articles on day one of the trial and has not been prese...

Gritty Wyoming comes to Austin as Longhorns try to avoid 'Bama hangover

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Gritty Wyoming comes to Austin as Longhorns try to avoid 'Bama hangover AUSTIN (KXAN) — If the No. 4 Texas Longhorns want to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2012, they'll need to get by a veteran Wyoming team that already has a victory over a Big 12 opponent this season.It's easy for people to think this is some sort of trap game, meaning the highly-touted Longhorns, coming off their historic win over Alabama, could potentially take the Cowboys lightly and stumble at home. In the first game of the season for the Cowboys on Sept. 2, they welcomed the Texas Tech Red Raiders to Laramie and beat them 35-33 in double overtime after trailing 17-0 early on. MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"This is a classic week where you could have a sore back because everyone's been patting you on the back going to class, on social media, or wherever else," Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I think it's important for them to understand t...

Main Street in Stillwater reopens Friday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Main Street in Stillwater reopens Friday A drone image captured Wednesday, June 7, 2023, showing the progress on the Chestnut Street Plaza in downtown Stillwater. (Courtesy of city of Stillwater)Construction on a two-block length of Main Street, also known as Minnesota 95, in Stillwater is expected to wrap up Friday morning, Sept. 15, a press release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.Sidewalks and crossings between Myrtle Street and Olive Street were upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, new water mains and storm utilities were installed, and a new signal system at the intersection with Chestnut Street was created.A new plaza for pedestrians and bikers in Stillwater’s downtown was also completed.A collaborative project between the city and MnDOT, the plaza has new sidewalks, lighting, planting and landscaping. The plaza is now open to the public.Related ArticlesLocal News | Funerals set for Oakdale woman and Woodbury man killed in northern Minnesota crash Local...

St. Paul seeking 18-month contract extension for garbage collection

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

St. Paul seeking 18-month contract extension for garbage collection With St. Paul’s garbage service set to expire on Sept. 30, the city is seeking an 18-month extension to continue working with its current haulers.Five private haulers — Waste Management, Aspen Waste Systems, Gene’s Disposal, Highland Sanitation and Republic Services — have serviced 65,800 one-to-four unit residential properties in St. Paul for nearly five years as part of its collection system.Although the system has received some backlash from residents, the extension leaves current services, collection day or designated hauler unchanged. However, while customers with small carts and every-other-week service would see no price increases next year, other customers would see increases.Residents with small carts and weekly service would see a $0.22 increase per month under the extension, while people with medium and large carts will have larger price increases. According to the city, the change is largely due to increased tipping fees and local energy centers.If approved, the ex...

Congress lurches closer to shutdown

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Congress lurches closer to shutdown Congress lurched closer to a government shutdown Thursday after Senate conservatives demanded changes to a noncontroversial spending package that had strong bipartisan support, bringing the bill to a screeching halt. The conflict over the Senate spending bill revealed the divisions between the Republican leadership and restive conservatives intent on forcing spending cuts and other reforms through Congress, even if it risks a government shutdown. The unexpected breakdown also came a day after divisions within the House GOP conference forced Republican leaders in the lower chamber to postpone a vote to begin debate on the annual defense appropriations bill.House conservatives are refusing to move forward until Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) agrees to their demands to drive a hard line with Democrats in the year-end spending talks. Senate and House conservatives are ratcheting up the intensity of their tactics fewer than three weeks before government funding expires ...

Saratoga Springs cuts ribbon on Waterfront Park upgrades

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Saratoga Springs cuts ribbon on Waterfront Park upgrades SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- City leaders in Saratoga Springs celebrated upgrades to Waterfront Park on Thursday. A ribbon cutting was held to officially unveil new bathrooms and a gazebo.A new playground will be installed in October. They also added handicap accessible ramps, so more people can enjoy all the park has to offer. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "It has been a frequent place for kayaking and sunbathing and picnicking, and we've just seen the use of it really explode," Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said.The park also serves as a major public access point for Saratoga Lake.

East Greenbush CSD lifts secured lockout after non-credible threats

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

East Greenbush CSD lifts secured lockout after non-credible threats EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The secured lockout at all buildings in the East Greenbush Central School District have been lifted. It was put in place after Goff Middle School received non-credible threats on Monday and Tuesday morning.Students are allowed to go outside for recess and gym class again. However, outside visitors are limited, and additional police officers are at each building as a precaution. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Superintendent Jeffrey Simons said it's been an inconvenience, but he's pleased with how the district responded."But we're all working together with our parents and our students and our faculty and our staff to overcome it and continue to focus on what we should be focused on, which is enhancing student learning for all of our kids and being of service to our families," he said.The superintendent said the current safety protocols have been effective, and he is looking for more funding for b...

Search for suspects continues in deadly hit-and-run

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Search for suspects continues in deadly hit-and-run JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Local and state authorities are looking for two people who played a part in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Jefferson County late Wednesday afternoon.The crash claimed the life of a valued member of the Cedar Hill community.The call came in just before 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.Ann Radeackar was traveling northbound on Route B in a 2012 Mini Cooper Clubman, when she attempted to turn left onto a private driveway near Simpson Hill Drive. At the same time, a 2009 Ford Fusion traveling southbound smashed into the front right side of the Mini Cooper. New rules for repurposed WWII-era duck boats aim to improve safety on 16 in use after drownings The driver and passenger in the Fusion fled the area on foot. Radeackar was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 69.The Radeackar name is familiar to many Cedar Hill residents from her family's Radeackar’s Market. Many in the community are saddened by the death of t...

Commanders OC, Buffs great Eric Bieniemy on longtime friend Vance Joseph: “I know he’s licking his chops”

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Commanders OC, Buffs great Eric Bieniemy on longtime friend Vance Joseph: “I know he’s licking his chops” Eric Bieniemy couldn’t help but smile. He laughed almost as soon as he delivered the line.He may be in his first year as Washington’s offensive coordinator. And he might be preparing to face first-year Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph on Sunday.These guys, though, go way back. They’ve been friends for 20-plus years. They’ve been coaching against each other for more than a decade.They’re tight. And, more to the point, they know the score.Bieniemy is well aware it’s been a while since a Joseph team left the field victorious against one of his.“I know we’ve had the best of him for a few years now, so I know he’s licking his chops,” Bieniemy told reporters in Washington.Indeed, a Joseph team hasn’t beaten a Bieniemy team since 2015, when Joseph was the defensive backs coach for Cincinnati in a 36-21 win over the Chiefs. Bieniemy at the time served as Andy Reid’s running backs coach.The former Colorado teammates faced each other last year with different teams — Jose...

Catholic priest charged with possession of child porn

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:58:52 GMT

Catholic priest charged with possession of child porn A Catholic priest based in Ventura County is accused of possessing a large cache of child pornography, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.Father Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 38, of Long Beach, allegedly possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material, including pictures and videos of minors under 12, officials said.Martinez-Guevara was a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and associated with several churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard, authorities said. He has since been removed from his post, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.Authorities launched their investigation into Martinez-Guevara after several reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the D.A's Office. "Investigators determined Martinez-Guevara was allegedly in direct possession of over 600 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material – involving mostly boys," prosecutors said in a news re...